10 famous cuisines in unexpected places

Dec. 12, 2012
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Indian food in London: The popularity of Indian food in London might best be illustrated by the British song "Vindaloo," the unofficial anthem of the 1998 World Cup that refers to a spicy Indian curry dish. Indians make up the largest population of immigrants in London. Besides the popular Brick Lane neighborhood in east London, head to Southall, the most authentic Little India, just outside of London's city center.
Where to eat: Browse the spice markets of Southall's Broadway, such as Dokal and Sons, then stop into Rita's Samosa Center for their namesake dish. Back in London proper, try dosas (rice and lentil crepes) at Dosa n' Chutney, or swing over to Zaika, one of London's first Indian restaurants to receive a Michelin star. / Flickr / Nagyman

by Michelle Kiefer, TheDailyMeal.com

by Michelle Kiefer, TheDailyMeal.com

The phenomenon of foreign cuisines relocating can be traced along the paths of migration - when the Portuguese came to Massachusetts to work on whale ships, they brought along their recipe for fish stew, and when the British Empire welcomed the people of India from the British colonies, curry houses sprouted up along the streets of London. What once was simply the food of an outsider community, however, is now an inseparable part of the cultural identity of these places.

So what does all this mean for the hungry traveler? For one, it expands the culinary possibiltiies in cities large and small. Excellent, authentic international cuisine can be found not only in major metropolises, but also in places where tourists less frequently go.

Can't afford a trip to France or Spain to indulge in Basque cuisine? Then head to Boise, Idaho, where that food is flourishing. Hungering for the flavors of Havana? You don't have to wait for the borders of Cuba to open, because there's plenty of authentic Cuban food to be found in Tampa, Fla.

Instead of a cuisine culture clash, famous cuisine found in unexpected places also means that travelers should expect the unexpected when searching for an alternative to a country's native cuisine. You may find that it's not pão de queijo but sushi that satisfies your snack craving in Brazil or maybe you're not longing for crusty baguettes when you part ways with Paris, but the dense and chewy Algerian bread called kesra.

Sometimes the greatest risk when traveling is venturing outside your expectations. Whether you go searching for a city's international cuisine or stumble upon it, stay open to a place's unexpected food offerings and you may find that your taste experiences become much richer than you could have imagined. Here are 10 famous cuisines found in unexpected places.

Basque food in Boise

"Eat, drink, be Basque," goes the saying, but you don't have to travel to France or Spain to try Basque dishes like lamb stews, pork and pimientos, cod, or pintxos (Basque tapas). Instead, head to Boise, Idaho, where one in 10 residents is of Basque descent.

Where to eat: The first Basques came to Idaho to work on sheep farms, and Boise's Leku Ono restaurant is owned by a former Basque shepherd. Boise's Basque block runs along Grove Street, and is home to an expansive Basque specialty market. No trip to Boise's Basque country would be complete without a visit to the bustling Bar Gernika.

Middle Eastern food in Dearborn, Mich.

America's largest population of Arab-Americans isn't in a metropolitan capital, but in Deaborn, Mich. Lebanese, Syrian, Iraqis, and other Arabs came to Michigan to work in the auto industry. Today the city's rich cultural heritage has made Dearborn a culinary landmark.

Where to eat: Traditional Middle Eastern plates can be found at Al-Ameer or La Pita. For Middle Eastern pastries head to Shatila. If you're lucky enough to visit in the summer, you can try more delicacies at Dearborn's annual Arab International Festival.

Portuguese food in New Bedford, Mass.

The whaling industry in New Bedford attracted the first Portuguese immigrants, and the waterfront town is the perfect setting for dishes like bacalhau (salted cod), or caldeirada (fish soup).

Where to eat: Antonio's is a local favorite for littlenecks, fried sardines and vinho verde (Portuguese wine). Traditional fare can also be found at the city's annual Portuguese Feast, or Amaral's Market, a destination for Portuguese gourmet goods.

Cuban food in Tampa

Miami has a huge Cuban-American population, but Tampa, Fla. is a Little Cuba in itself, thanks to the Cuban cigar industry that flourished in the early 1900s in Tampa's Ybor City. There's plenty of hidden mom-and-pop gems to be discovered in this Gulf coast town.

Where to eat: Cuban-American locals get their fix of black beans and rice, ropa vieja (shredded steak in tomato sauce), and picadillo (seasoned ground beef served over rice) at Arco Iris on Columbus Drive. The Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City is a Cuban fixture, and while natives swear you can't find a Cuban sandwich like they used to make them, Pipo's makes a fine rendition.

Chinese food in Vancouver

Yes, Chinatowns are a common fixture in North American cities, but Vancouver is a hotspot for Chinese cuisine. Maybe it's Canada's immigration-friendly policies or Vancouver's proximity to great seafood, but whatever it is a trip to this seaport city would be incomplete without a tour of its Chinese eateries.

Where to eat: Order the Golden Dungeness Crab at Ken's Chinese Restaurant. Try dim sum at Kirin Restaurant, Peking duck at Yan's Garden, or dumplings at Lin's.

Indonesian food in Amsterdam

Indonesia gained independence from the Dutch in 1945, but the colonial relationship has brought Indonesian culinary influence to the Dutch capital. If you can't get to Indonesia or you just want to save on airfare, Amsterdam is the next-best stop for Indonesian cuisine.

Where to eat: Go to Sama Sebo or Tempo Deoloe for rijstaffel, an Indonesian feast that consists of rice surrounded by sides. Restaurant Blauw serves specialties like shrimp crackers and pumpkin-coconut soup.

Japanese food in São Paulo

Sao Paulo, Brazil has the largest Japanese population outside of Japan, according to the Brazilian embassy with the first Japanese immigrants coming to work on Brazil's coffee plantations. Besides being a showcase for the iconic architecture of Japanese-Brazilian Ruy Ohtake, Brazil's largest city is a destination for Japanese cuisine.

Where to eat: Head straight for Liberdade, Sao Paulo's Little Japan. Each Sunday the neighborhood is host to a Japanese market, Feira da Liberdade, where you can taste traditional Japanese dishes like yakitori (a barbeque kebab) or lamen, a type of ramen. Eat at Aska Lamen, one of the city's best ramen houses, or for upscale sushi head to Jun Sakamoto.

Turkish food in Berlin

Turkish guest workers immigrated to Germany in the 1960s and 1970s, and since then Berliners have embraced Turkish cuisine, with donor, or kebab, becoming just as pervasive as 'wurst in Germany.

Where to eat: You can't go to Berlin without eating donor kebab (rotating grilled spits of meat that are typically served wrapped in pita). There's no shortage of stands on most street corners to fulfill cravings. Kreuzberg, Berlin's Turkish neighborhood, is home to a weekly market where you can find traditional Turkish goods. Hasir Restaurant is a must, where in addition to donor you can try other traditional Turkish specialties.

Algerian food in Paris

While it should go unsaid that Paris is one of the world's culinary capitals, you'd be amiss to not enjoy North African cuisine on a trip to the City of Lights. France hasn't historically had the best of relationships with its Maghrebi immigrants, but there's no arguing that the flavors of Algeria are a welcome alternative to heavy French fare.

Where to eat: Le Monde de Léa in Paris' 18th arrondissement is a cozy café-restaurant where you can enjoy couscous along with live jazz. Hearty lamb tagines and couscous paired with Algerian wine can be found at Le Zerda Café. Forget macarons and baguettes, and head straight to La Bague de Kenza for Algerian pastries and kesra bread, an addictive flatbread.

Indian food in London

The popularity of Indian food in London might best be illustrated by the British song "Vindaloo," the unofficial anthem of the 1998 World Cup that refers to a spicy Indian curry dish. Indians make up the largest population of immigrants in London. Besides the popular Brick Lane neighborhood in east London, head to Southall, the most authentic Little India, just outside of London's city center.

Where to eat: Browse the spice markets of Southall's Broadway, such as Dokal and Sons, then stop into Rita's Samosa Center for their namesake dish. Back in London proper, try dosas (rice and lentil crepes) at Dosa n' Chutney, or swing over to Zaika, one of London's first Indian restaurants to receive a Michelin star.